Automatic and manual toilet flushing device

ABSTRACT

A toilet flushing device comprises a valve assembly, an automatic control device and an manual control device. The automatic control device has a control circuit and causes flushing of the toilet upon an external signal. The manual control device allows manual flushing of the toilet. Thus bot automatic and manual flushing of the toilet are possible. A scent box provides disinfection and good odor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toilet flushing device, particularly to a toilet flushing device which is both automatically and manually operated and provided with a filter grid and a scent box for filtering, disinfection, eliminating bad odor and adding scent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In contemporary life, automatically and manually operated toilet flushing devices are indispensable for restoring a used toilet to a clean state.

Conventional toilet flushing devices are either manually or automatically operated, but not both. A manual toilet flushing device requires contact of a user's hand, implying risk of transmitting germs or infection. An automatic toilet flushing device does not work upon failure of power supply or other defects, so that the toilet remains unclean and unhygienic after use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet flushing device which is both automatically and manually operated.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a toilet flushing device which is connected to a flushed water pipe and provides desinfection, eliminating of bad odor and adding of scent.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet flushing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the toilet flushing device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 a-4 c are sectional views of the movement of the valve assembly of the present invention during flushing.

FIGS. 5 a-5 c are sectional views of the movement of the scent box of the present invention during flushing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet flushing device of the present invention comprises: a valve assembly 20, connected with a water supply apparatus 11 and a toilet bowl 12; an automatic control device 50; a manual control device 60; a filter grid 70; and a scent box 80. The water supply apparatus 11 and the toilet bowl 12 are conventional art and do not need further explanation. The automatic control device 50, upon receiving of a signal, drives opening of the valve assembly 20 to release water and to flush the toilet bowl 12. The manual control device 60 manually drives opening of the valve assembly 20. Thereby flushing of the toilet bowl 12 is activated in two ways, so that, if the automatic control device 50 fails, manual flushing of the toilet bowl 12 is still possible. The filter grid 70 and the scent box 80 provide desinfection, eliminating of bad odor and adding of scent. In the following, a detailed description is given.

For convenient installation on the toilet bowl 12, the valve assembly 20, the automatic control device 50 and the manual control device 60 are housed in an outer case 15.

Referring to FIG. 3, the valve assembly 20 comprises: an inlet pipe 22, connected with the water supply apparatus 11; an outlet pipe 23, connected with the toilet bowl 12; and a valve 30. The valve 30 further comprises: a fixing tube 31; a first magnet 33; a rubber base plate 35; a second magnet 41; and a second spring 42. Upon opening of the valve 30 of the valve assembly 20, water is allowed to flow through the outlet pipe 23 into the toilet bowl 12. The rubber base plate 35 is placed between the inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 23, having an inlet opening 36 and an outlet opening 37. The fixing tube 31 has an inside with a pressure chamber 38, as shown in FIG. 4 a. The first magnet 33 is movable in a vertical movement inside the pressure chamber 38, with an amplitude of the vertical movement being determined by a length and a weight of the first magnet 33. The first magnet 33 further has higher end leaning against a first spring 34 and and lower end carrying a silicon tip 39. The first spring 34 presses the first magnet 33 downward, so that the silicon silicon tip 39 closes the outlet opening 37 of the rubber base plate 35. The second magnet 41 is mounted on an-upper side of the fixing tube 31. When driven by the automatic control device 50 or the manual control device 60, the second magnet 41 pulls the first magnet 33 upward, enabling outflow of water. Afterwards, the second spring 42 pulls the second magnet 42 away from the first magnet 33, so that outflow of water is stopped. Of the first and second magnets 33, 41, either both are made of magnetic material or one is made of magnetic material and one is made of magnetizable material.

For adjusting the length and the weight of the first magnet 33, an extension pin 331 is placed between the first magnet 33 and the silicon tip 39. The extension pin 331 is preferably made of PVC.

Referring to FIGS. 4 a-4 c, letting out of water is achieved in the following way. As shown in FIG. 4 a, in a closed state of the valve 30, the first magnet 33 closes the outlet opening 37 of the rubber base plate 35. In this state, pressures on upper and lower sides of the rubber base plate 35 are equal, and the valve 30 is closed, so that no water flows out through the outlet pipe 23. As shown in FIG. 4 b, in an opened state of the valve 30, the second magnet 41 pulls the first magnet 33 upward, against pressure from the first spring 34, opening the outlet opening 37 of the rubber base plate 35. In this state, pressure on the lower side of the rubber base plate 35 exceeds pressure on the upper side thereof, and the valve 30 is opened, so that water flows out through the outlet pipe 23. As shown in FIG. 4 c, when the second magnet 41 is removed from the first magnet 33 by the second spring, the first spring 34 pushes the first magnet 33 downward, closing again the outlet opening 37 of the rubber base plate 35, so that the closed state of the valve 30 is assumed again and no water flows out through the outlet pipe 23.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the automatic control device 50 comprises: a sensor 51, receiving an external signal; a coil 52, mounted on the upper side of the fixing tube 31 and generating a magnetic field when flown through by an electric current; a control circuit 53, connected with the sensor 51 and the coil 52; and a shifting assembly 54, having an upper plate 55 and a lower plate 57, which is made of magnetizable material. The upper plate 55 is fastened to the coil 52. The lower plate 57 has a lower edge fastened to the second magnet 41. The control circuit 53 is connected with an electrical power source 58. When the sensor 51 receives an external signal, the control circuit 53 causes electric current to flow through the coil 52, which in turn attracts the lower plate 57, so that the second magnet 41 is brought close to the first magnet 33, causing water to flow out through the water outlet pipe 23.

As shown in FIG. 4 a, for holding the second magnet 41, a connecting assembly 43 connects the second magnet 41 with the lower plate 57. The connecting assembly 43 has a first lobe 44, fastened to the second magnet 41, a second lobe 45, fastened to the lower plate 57, and a pin 46, passing through the first and second lobes 44, 45.

The control circuit 53 works as follows: A. The sensor 51 receives an external signal for about 6 seconds. B. The coil 52, passed through by electric current, causes water to be released for 3 seconds. C. The sensor 51 having for 4 seconds received a continuous external signal, goes into a standby state. D. The sensor 51 receives no external signal. E. The coil 52, passed through by electric current, causes water to be released for 3-6 seconds.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power source 58 is a regular power source, a solar panel or an energy-storing device, providing electrical power for the automatic control device 50.

As further shown in FIG. 4 a, the manual control device 60 comprises: a casing 61, housing the valve assembly 20; a rod 62, which passes through the casing 61, having an inner end 63, which is connected with the second magnet 41, and an outer end 64, which projects from the outer case 15; and a third spring 65, connected with the casing 61 and the rod 62 at a certain location thereof. When the rod 62, by pressure on the outer end 64 thereof, is manually pushed inward, the second magnet 41 is moved close to the first magnet 33, causing outflow of water through the outlet pipe 23. With no pressure on the outer end 64 of the rod 62, the third spring 65 presses the rod 62 outward into an original position.

For assessing a need to use the manual control device 60, the automatic control device 50 has a light indicator 56, signalling a defect thereof or a lack of electrical power, so a user knows that the manual control device 60 has to be employed for flushing.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a, for ensuring a pleasant scent, a scent box 80 is mounted on the outlet pipe 23. The scent box 80 has a container 81, having an upper side with an inlet 82 and a lower side with an outlet 83 and containing a scenting liquid 85, which has a desinfecting effect. The scent box 80 further has an adjusting device 91, which further comprises: a chamber 92, having a rectangular cross-section and being connected with the outlet 83, further having an upper end with a central hole 93 and a lower end with a connecting channel 921, which has a far end with a snout 922 that reaches into the outlet tube 23; an adjusting screw 94, passing through the central hole 93 and having a lower end and a middle section with a thread 95; an upper block 96, placed inside the chamber 92 next to the outlet 83, silicon tip, while being not turnable against the chamber 92, and engaging with the thread 95 of the adjusting screw 94; and a lower block 97, mounted below the lower end of the adjusting screw 94, keeping an adjustable distance 98 to the upper block 96. Turning of the adjusting screw 94 vertically shifts the upper block 96, varying the distance 98, thereby varying a flow rate of the scenting liquid 85. The lower block 97 has a via hole 971, through which an I-shaped rod 972 passes. The I-shaped rod 972 has an upper plate 973, a lower plate 974 and a connecting rod 975, which connectes the upper and lower plates 973, 974, passes through the via hole 971 and is longer than the via hole 971.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a-5 c, the scent box 80 works as follows. As shown in FIG. 5 a, in a normal state of the scent box 80, the upper block 96 closes the outlet 83, so that no scenting liquid 85 enters the chamber 92. As shown in FIG. 6 b, when the valve assambly 20 opens to release flushing water, flushing water enters the chamber 92 through the connecting channel 921. Then the lower and upper blocks 97, 96 float upward, and the I-shaped rod 972 moves upward, closing the via hole 971. Subsequently, scent liquid 85 enters the chamber 92 between the upper and lower blocks 96, 97. As shown in FIG. 5 c, upon closing of the valve assembly 20, no flushing water flows out. Then the lower and upper blocks 97, 96 move downward, and the I-shaped rod 972 moves downward, briefly opening the via hole 971, so that scent liquid 85 enters the chamber 92 below the lower block 97 and flows out through the connecting channel 921.

Referring again to FIG. 2, for monitoring how much scenting liquid 85 is left in the container 82, the outer case 15 carries a transparent plate 16.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A toilet flushing device, operated both automatically and manually, comprising: a valve assembly, connected with a water supply apparatus and a toilet bowl; an automatic control device, which upon receiving of an external signal, causes said valve assembly to switch from a closed state to an open state to release flushing water into said toilet bowl; and a manual control device, which upon manual operation, causes said valve assembly to switch from a closed state to an open state to release flushing water into said toilet bowl.
 2. The toilet flushing device of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly comprises: an inlet pipe, connected with said water supply apparatus; an outlet pipe, connected with said toilet bowl; and a valve, further comprising: a fixing tube, oriented in a vertical direction, having an inside with a pressure chamber, a rubber base plate, placed between said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe, having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a first magnet, which is movable in a vertical movement inside said pressure chamber, with an amplitude of said vertical movement being determined by a length and a weight, further having a higher end leaning against a first spring, thereby being pressed downward, and a lower end carrying a silicon tip, which closes said outlet opening of said rubber base plate, a second magnet, mounted on an upper side of said fixing tube, and a second spring, pulling said second magnet away from said first magnet; wherein, in said closed state of said valve assembly, said silicon tip closes said water outlet opening, whereas in said opened state of said valve assembly, said automatic control device or said manual control device cause said second magnet to pull said first magnet upward, so that, for balancing pressure on upper and lower sides of said rubber base plate, said said rubber base plate rises, enabling outflow of flushing water.
 3. The toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein said automatic control device comprises: a sensor, receiving an external signal; a coil, mounted on an upper side of said fixing tube and generating a magnetic field when flown through by an electric current; a control circuit, connected with said sensor, said coil and an electrical power source; and a shifting assembly, having an upper plate, fastened to said coil, and a lower plate, which is made of magnetizable material and has a lower edge fastened to said second magnet; wherein, when said sensor receives an external signal, said control circuit causes electric current to flow through said coil, which in turn attracts said lower plate, so that said second magnet is brought close to said first magnet, causing water to flow out through said water outlet pipe.
 4. The toilet flushing device of claim 3, wherein said electrical power source is a regular power source.
 5. The toilet flushing device of claim 3, wherein said electrical power source is a solar panel.
 6. The toilet flushing device of claim 3, wherein said control circuit works in steps as follows: A. receiving of an external signal by said sensor for about 6 seconds; B. flowing of electric current through said coil to release flushing water for 3 seconds; C. said sensor, after having for 4 seconds received a continuous external signal. going into a standby state; D. no external signal arriving at said sensor; E. flowing of electric current through said coil to release flushing water for 3-6 seconds.
 7. The toilet flushing device of claim 3, wherein a connecting assembly connects said second magnet with said lower plate, having a first lobe, fastened to said second magnet, a second lobe, fastened to said lower plate, and a pin, passing through said first and second lobes.
 8. The toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein said manual control device comprises: a casing, housing said valve assembly; a rod, which passes through said casing, having an inner end, which is connected with said second magnet, and an outer end, which projects outward from said casing; and a third spring, connected with said casing and said rod at a certain location thereof; wherein, when said rod, by pressure on said outer end thereof, is manually pushed inward, said second magnet is moved close to said first magnet, causing outflow of water through said outlet pipe, and with no pressure on said outer end of said rod, said third spring presses said rod outward into an original position.
 9. The toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein of said first and second magnets, one is made of magnetic material and one is made of magnetizable material.
 10. The toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein said first and second magnets are made of magnetic material.
 11. The toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein an extension pin, made of PVC, is inserted between said first magnet and said silicon tip.
 12. The toilet flushing device of claim 1, wherein said valve assembly, said automatic control device and said manual control device are housed in an outer case.
 13. A scent box, mounted on the toilet flushing device of claim 2 on said outlet pipe thereof, further comprising: a container, having an inlet and an outlet and containing scenting liquid with an disinfecting effect; and an adjusting device, connected with said outlet of said container and said outlet pipe for controlling and adjusting a flow rate of said scenting liquid from said container into said outlet pipe.
 14. The scent box of claim 13, wherein said adjusting device further comprises: a chamber, having a rectangular cross-section and being connected with said outlet, further having an upper end with a central hole and a lower end with a connecting channel, which has a far end with a snout that reaches into said outlet tube; an adjusting screw, passing through said central hole and having a lower end and a middle section with a thread; an upper block, placed inside said chamber next to said outlet, while being not turnable against said chamber, and engaging with said thread of said adjusting screw; and a lower block, mounted below said lower end of said adjusting screw, keeping an adjustable distance to said upper block, and further having a via hole, through which an I-shaped rod passes, which in turn has an upper plate, a lower plate and a connecting rod, which connectes said upper and lower plates, passes through said via hole and is longer than said via hole; wherein turning of said adjusting screw vertically shifts said upper block, varying said distance, thereby varying a flow rate of said scenting liquid. 